Do values subjectively define the limits to climate change adaptation?

Abstract

Climate change adaptation is increasingly seen as both a necessary and urgent response to a changing climate, and much research is being undertaken to identify barriers and constraints to successful adaptation. Most discussions focus on limited adaptive capacity as a constraint to adaptation to climate change, and emphasise technological, financial and institutional barriers (Grothmann and Patt, 2005; Yohe and Tol, 2002). It is presumed that once these external barriers are removed or overcome, society will be able to successfully adapt to a changing climate. It has, however, also been suggested that adaptation to climate change may be limited by the irreversible loss of places and identities that people value (Adger et al., 2009a, 2009b). Adger et al. (2009b) argue that social and individual characteristics may likewise act as deep-seated barriers to adaptation. Such perspectives raise important questions about the role that individual and societal values play in adapting to climate change: is adaptation a successful strategy for maintaining what is valued? How do adaptation measures taken by some affect the values of others? In the case of value conflicts, whose values count?